After 800 years of British rule, the British engaged in an economic war against the Free State during the years1932-8 . It brought the economy of the newly independent country to its knees. Many could not afford the basic necessities of life, food, shoes etc The population had dropped to about 2.9 million, a third of those aged under 15.
The new state formed in 1937 had De Valera in charge. He was on good terms with Chamberlain and with Anthony Eden. Ireland did not have the ability to resist Germany and the British were generally happy at that point for Ireland to adopt a neutral position- ie show no overt alignment towards either side. Presumably a neutral but friendly Ireland was better than an occupied Germany. Despite the neutral status, there was extensive co-operation and information exchange as well as good will.
Churchill did not agree with Irish neutrality. De Valera’s answer was had “Germany had won the war and occupied England for a number of years, finally giving freedom to England with the exception of six southern counties, would Churchill be prepared to "...lead this partitioned England to join with Germany in a crusade?"
De Valera’s contemporaries included Hitler, Franco and Mussolini. He might be cancelled nowadays for sending condolences to the German embassy on the death of Hitler, but Ireland came out of the war better than any other small country, even if the economy continued to struggle. The government was elected to serve the interests of the Irish people, not the interests of their former oppressors. And De Valera had been sentenced to death by the British so had to put personal animosities aside to get a good outcome.
So you can criticise the government of the time, but you must also acknowledge their achievements. And also admit that the Americans won the war for the Allies, not the British, no matter how brave and worthy everyone. Had the Americans not come in to the war, the British would have lost and we’d be looking it at this from a different perspective.